Tuesday

Apr 7, 2020 at 10:20 AM

Governments around the world have shuttered businesses and asked workers who aren't considered "essential" to stay home because of the rapid spread of coronavirus.

Essential workers include doctors, nurses, grocery store clerks, ride-share drivers and police officers – and in New Zealand, the list just got longer. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was asked at a news briefing whether she had considered an exemption for the Easter Bunny, and Ardern confirmed she had.

“You will be pleased to know that we do consider both the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny to be essential workers,” Ardern said.

She noted that it may be more difficult for them to visit every home this year because they may be "potentially quite busy at home with their family."

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern confirms Easter Bunny is classed as an “essential worker” but it might be “difficult for the bunny to get everywhere” in current circumstances.

Tooth fairy also confirmed as an essential worker.pic.twitter.com/Jv6o4t2tkG

— Daniel Rosney (@DanielRosney)April 6, 2020

“So I say to the children of New Zealand, if the Easter Bunny doesn’t make it to your household, we have to understand that it’s a bit difficult at the moment for the bunny to perhaps be everywhere,” she continued.

Ardern encouraged families to create their own egg hunts by placing drawings of Easter eggs in their windows. The initiative bears resemblance to the "teddy bear hunts" which have been seen in New Zealand and the United States.

New Zealand's health ministry reported a total 1,106 confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus and just one death as of Monday.

The country declared a national emergency and entered a four-weeklockdown late in March, Reuters reported. People are allowed to take walks and go to the supermarket while practicing social distancing, and offenders may face large fines or even jail time.

Despite some early signs of improvement, Ardern told reporters in Wellington that the country will maintain these restrictions, Reuters said.

Follow N'dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg

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